J.C. Martin J.C. Martin

Westport Artists Collective 6th Annual Riverside Trunk Show

On Sunday, October 5 the Artists Collective of Westport held its 6th Annual free Trunk Show, turning the Library’s lower parking lot into an art show from 11am to 4pm.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

35 artists participated by parking their cars in alternate spaces, opening their trunks and displaying and selling artwork from $5 to $500, and at last count, in spite of an exceptionally warm day, art lovers strolled thorough the show purchasing over 65 pieces of art.

These vivid, colorful works are by artist  Michael Reed Ledner. Lerner says, “Painting is a way of looking, seeing and feeling. It can be a brief encounter. Or it be an extended exploration of painting that’s as challenging as climbing to the highest mountaintop. Painting is a visual paradise that has no boundaries of creative expression. Painting Breaths. The way to painting begins with that first brush stroke of color. The second,third continues the journey. The colors of paint on the brush leap and stick to the canvas. The colors are there for all to see and feel.” Lerner invites the viewer to “travel this journey with me to explore the visual world.”

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

The Trunk Show is another great example of how the Town of Westport supports the arts through partnerships with the Westport Library, and the Westport Police Department. Attendees were treated to live music by Canyon Sharits, and a wonderful food concession provided by Gruel Britannia.

This was another fun and social event produced for the community by www.artistscollectiveofwestport.org

Also At The Show, Westport Book Sales

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting the Westport Library and adults with disabilities through their book sales and book donation center operations. Since opening, the Westport Book Shop has provided over 10,250 hours of paid employment and job and workplace skills training for more than a dozen adults and young adults with disabilities. In fiscal 2024, they donated $60,000 to the Westport Library.

To learn more about this great organization and how you can help them in their mission, visit Westport Book Sales Adventures.org:

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Read More
J.C. Martin J.C. Martin

Danbury Battles Staples To A 0-0 Tie In Girls Soccer Match

The Wreckers Girls Soccer team was less than pleased with the result on Tuesday, however the Hatters were elated, high-fiving each other as they left the pitch to the cheers of the hometown fans. As it happens, tying the FCIAC 6th place, 7-2-3 Wreckers was an achievement for the Hatters, who are 11th in the conference with a record of 4-5-3.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Coach Barry Beattie told WestportLocalPress, “Danbury battled hard from start to finish. They deserved credit for their work ethic and energy in the game to keep us out. We matched their fight but sometimes couldn’t find the end product to finish off chances. Was a good game and well played from both teams. The tie was a fair result in the end I think.”

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Read More
J.C. Martin J.C. Martin

Wreckers Dominate Darien 31-6 In Saturday’s Game.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

The stage was set on October 4th for the fierce rivalry between the Staples Wreckers and the Darien Blue Wave. One look at the field before the start of the game made it clear this was an important game as an almost endless array of photographers were perched on both sidelines awaiting kick-off, seeming to number the same as either team on the field

The Blue Wave was used to victories over the Wreckers whom they had defeated each game they played for more than the last decade. That streak came to an end of an unusually hot October day where the heat may have affected play. Not only did Staples end that losing streak against Darien

Coach Jacowleff, in his first year as head coach told WestportLocalPress, “I am very proud of how our program practiced for the entire week leading up to our game against Darien. Coming off of a highly emotional, come from behind, last second victory over West Haven, it would have been easy to take our foot off the pedal and not have a great week of preparation, but our player leaders did not allow for that to happen”

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com.  Click on an image to enlarge and open galler

Jacowleff added,  “Nick Weil had a tremendous game at Quarterback, standing tall in the pocket as Darien blitzed. He threw for 231 yards and 2 TDs and ran for the other 2 TDs. I can’t say enough about what Nick has meant to our football team and how big of an impact he has had.”

He credited his staff, saying, “Coach Connors and Coach Philpott had a great game plan in place to slow down Darien’s offense. We were able to limit Darien to only three first downs and 45 passing yards throughout the game.”

Several fans made good use of their umbrellas, not to shield them from the rain, but from the sun beating down on them on the 80º degree October day. One proud dad made sure his son was noticed, and another raised the American flag alongside the Staples flag from a mount on their car.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com.  Click on an image to enlarge and open galler

The Staples Cheerleaders were out in force as always, keeping the energy level high.

Another important game will be Friday’s matchup against undefeated Wilton where Staples homecoming crowd will be bringing that famous Wrecker energy to Coach Paul Lane Field. Kick-off is at 7:00 PM. The public is cordially invited to support their Wreckers.

In part because of their great record this season, Coach Jacowleff was recognized as the NY Giants Coach of the Week

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com.  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Read More
J.C. Martin J.C. Martin

October Hunter’s Moon Rises Over Compo Mill Cove

Sunday’s beautiful full moon was quite the site as it rose in the east over Compo Mill Cove.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery

Above, left, the moon early in the evening was not as bright as later on (above, right) when it appeared sharper and one could see the craters and details much more clearly.

The October Full Moon, or Hunter's Moon, is named for the traditional hunting season that begins in the fall, when the bright moonlight allowed people to track and hunt animals at night to gather food for winter. The term also sometimes refers to the closest full moon to the fall equinox. This moon can appear bigger and brighter than a usual full moon and is also known as the Harvest Moon when it is the closest full moon to the fall equinox. 

Read More